By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – For the third time in seven days, the governor and state public health director held a news conference to talk about coronavirus in Illinois.

Speaking to reporters Thursday in the governor’s office, Illinois Department Public Health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike is just back from Washington.

“One of my requests is that we need to have more reagents available so we can do broad, widespread testing. That would be the goal, and that would give us the best information as to what is circulating in the community,” Ezike said at the Capitol. “At this point, given that we don’t have unlimited supplies of reagent, there is some kind of triaging that is going on.”

A reagent is used in a chemical reaction to measure and/or detect other substances.

The usual advice applies: wash your hands, don’t touch your face, stay home if you are sick.

“I have tried to communicate more broadly that employers should be understanding of this situation,” said the governor. “But I don’t disagree that it would be a hardship for people, particularly those who are earning minimum wage.”

Unlike the fifth case, the first four are senior citizens, two married couples.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]